Short answer: the Klipsch RP-600M II if sound quality matters most, the Dayton Audio MK602X if price matters most. The Klipsch RP-600M II ranks #74 of 130 bookshelf speakers at $449.99. The Dayton Audio MK602X ranks #125 at $149, $300.99 cheaper.
What the Klipsch RP-600M II offers: Redesigned waveguide extends flush to the baffle edge, reducing diffraction compared to the original RP-600M. Roughly 10-20° wider horizontal radiation than the original, giving more soundstage envelopment while retaining precise imaging. A major step up in overall tonal neutrality compared to the original RP-600M, largely eliminating that model’s midrange resonance issues. Unusually, sounds better with the grille on - the grille smooths out the elevated treble rather than degrading the sound, a rare trait among speakers the reviewer has tested. More refined back-panel hardware, including anodized binding posts and jumper cables for optional bi-amping. Responds well to EQ correction (verified using measurement software and a miniDSP), letting the on-axis response be made genuinely linear. Watch for: On-axis, the treble runs notably hot - even hotter than the original RP-600M in some respects - and needs about 20° of toe-out or the grille installed to sound balanced. Horizontal dispersion is very slightly less linear across angles than the original RP-600M, a minor trade-off for the wider overall radiation pattern. Klipsch’s marketed sensitivity (about 94.5dB) is, like the original, a half-space rating roughly 9dB above the anechoic reality (closer to 85-86dB). In-room bass rolls off around 60Hz in practice, and a 120Hz boost paired with a midrange scoop gives kick drums their “tambour” without real low-end weight - a subwoofer is still recommended. Vertical listening tolerance is limited to about ±10° from the tweeter axis. Toeing the speaker out for better on-axis tonality (rather than using the grille) introduces slightly more diffuse imaging from added sidewall reflections.
What the Dayton Audio MK602X offers: Inexpensive, compact two-way with a 6.5-inch glass-fiber woofer and 1-inch silk dome. Erin measured respectable small-box extension (72Hz F3 and 43Hz F10) and roughly 85dB sensitivity. The cabinet and removable grille are tidy for the price, and the response can be made less bright with broad treble EQ when listening close to the reference axis. Watch for: The top end sits roughly 5dB above the midband, producing brightness that can masquerade as detail. More seriously, the low-order woofer filter creates a 4-5dB directivity discontinuity around 2kHz; because the reflected sound differs from the direct sound, equalization cannot fully fix it. Erin also found multiple resonances around 900Hz and rising distortion/compression from the woofer at higher levels. Its 4-ohm nominal load and modest 85dB measured sensitivity demand more amplifier current than the price suggests, while the 72Hz F3 makes a subwoofer advisable despite the relatively low F10.
Buy the Klipsch RP-600M II if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Dayton Audio MK602X if the price matters more than sound quality.
Skip the Dayton Audio MK602X if sound quality matters to you. It ranks near the bottom of the 130 bookshelf speakers.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Klipsch RP-600M II | Dayton Audio MK602X | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $149 per pair |
| Ranked | #74 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers | #125 of 130 in Large Size Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | 72Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.7"H x 8"W x 12.5"D (398.8 x 203.2 x 317.5 mm) | 15.1"H x 8.6"W x 11.8"D |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified; Erin's impedance measurement confirms a low-impedance load) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) | Approximately 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Cerametallic cone woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn | 1" silk-dome tweeter; 6.5" glass-fiber midwoofer |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each | - |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, rear |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.75 | 3.55 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.88 | 6.07 |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 14, 2026 at 1:47 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Klipsch RP-600M II: $449.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Redesigned waveguide extends flush to the baffle edge, reducing diffraction compared to the original RP-600M. Roughly 10-20° wider horizontal radiation than the original, giving more soundstage envelopment while retaining precise imaging. A major step up in overall tonal neutrality compared to the original RP-600M, largely eliminating that model’s midrange resonance issues. Unusually, sounds better with the grille on - the grille smooths out the elevated treble rather than degrading the sound, a rare trait among speakers the reviewer has tested. More refined back-panel hardware, including anodized binding posts and jumper cables for optional bi-amping. Responds well to EQ correction (verified using measurement software and a miniDSP), letting the on-axis response be made genuinely linear. Measured bass extension of 70Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 86dB.
Cons: On-axis, the treble runs notably hot - even hotter than the original RP-600M in some respects - and needs about 20° of toe-out or the grille installed to sound balanced. Horizontal dispersion is very slightly less linear across angles than the original RP-600M, a minor trade-off for the wider overall radiation pattern. Klipsch’s marketed sensitivity (about 94.5dB) is, like the original, a half-space rating roughly 9dB above the anechoic reality (closer to 85-86dB). In-room bass rolls off around 60Hz in practice, and a 120Hz boost paired with a midrange scoop gives kick drums their “tambour” without real low-end weight - a subwoofer is still recommended. Vertical listening tolerance is limited to about ±10° from the tweeter axis. Toeing the speaker out for better on-axis tonality (rather than using the grille) introduces slightly more diffuse imaging from added sidewall reflections.
Full Klipsch RP-600M II review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 41Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 70Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.7"H x 8"W x 12.5"D (398.8 x 203.2 x 317.5 mm) |
| Drivers | 6.5" Cerametallic cone woofer, 1" titanium LTS vented tweeter with Tractrix horn |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (3.5 ohms minimum above 80Hz, measured by Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Sensitivity | 86dB (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.75 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.88 |
| Weight | 13 lbs (5.9 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Erin’s Audio Corner: The Truth about Klipsch’s “NEW” Sound. RP-600M Update. More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Erin’s Audio Corner Website Klipsch RP-600M II
- GR-Research: We Bought The "NEW" RP-600M II Is KLIPSCH Listening?! More from GR-Research →
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 5 AWESOME SPEAKERS Under $1000 You Won’t Regret
- Erin’s Audio Corner Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Ascend CBM-170 SE2
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Infinity Reference R162
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs GR-Research X-LS Encore
- Klipsch RP-600M II vs Infinity IL10
- See all 72 comparisons
Dayton Audio MK602X: $149 per pair eBay
Pros: Inexpensive, compact two-way with a 6.5-inch glass-fiber woofer and 1-inch silk dome. Erin measured respectable small-box extension (72Hz F3 and 43Hz F10) and roughly 85dB sensitivity. The cabinet and removable grille are tidy for the price, and the response can be made less bright with broad treble EQ when listening close to the reference axis. Measured bass extension of 72Hz (-3dB), with a measured sensitivity of 85dB.
Cons: The top end sits roughly 5dB above the midband, producing brightness that can masquerade as detail. More seriously, the low-order woofer filter creates a 4-5dB directivity discontinuity around 2kHz; because the reflected sound differs from the direct sound, equalization cannot fully fix it. Erin also found multiple resonances around 900Hz and rising distortion/compression from the woofer at higher levels. Its 4-ohm nominal load and modest 85dB measured sensitivity demand more amplifier current than the price suggests, while the 72Hz F3 makes a subwoofer advisable despite the relatively low F10.
Full Dayton Audio MK602X review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 43Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 72Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Dimensions | 15.1"H x 8.6"W x 11.8"D |
| Drivers | 1" silk-dome tweeter; 6.5" glass-fiber midwoofer |
| Impedance | 4 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified; Erin's impedance measurement confirms a low-impedance load) |
| Sensitivity | Approximately 85dB/2.83V/1m (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.55 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.07 |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, rear |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons